THE AIM of this study was to determine the potential of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) to affect cerebral microcirculation, including blood-brain barrier function, in rat brain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The head of the rat was exposed for 10 min to 1439 MHz RF-EMF having three intensity doses: 0.6, 2.4, 4.8 W/kg of brain averaged specific absorption rate (BASAR). Four microcirculatory parameters: blood-brain barrier permeability, leukocyte behavior, plasma velocity, and vessel diameter were measured before and after RF-EMF exposure using a closed cranial window method.

RESULTS: No extravasation of intravenously injected dyes from pial venules was found at any BASAR level. No significant changes in the number of endothelial-adhering leukocytes after exposure were found. The hemodynamics indicated that the plasma velocities and vessel diameters remained constant within the physiological range throughout each exposure.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there were no effects on the cerebral microcirculation under the given RF-EMF exposure conditions.